Racing News

Revived Ordination wins again at Keeneland

Runnymede-bred Ordination kept his record perfect with new trainer Ken McPeek when he won for the second time during the brief fall meet at Keeneland on October 24, showing versatility with victory on the turf after his previous success two weeks earlier on Polytrack.

Jockey Robby Albarado kept the five-year-old gelding by Fantastic Light out of Seek Easy, by Seeking the Gold, on the inside and toward the rear of the six-horse field down the backstretch of the $47,897 allowance. After turning for home, Ordination overcame being blocked, carried wide and a bumping incident to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths over Grade 3 winner Sal the Barber.

Time for the 1 1/8 miles on a course rated firm was 1:50.48. Watch the race by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOvS8D9B8P8

Ordination pushed his career earnings well over $100,000 with the win, which was his fifth in 12 starts that also have featured three placings. Overall, he has earned $121,087.

“I am delighted to see Ordination return to his winning ways, and it is remarkable that he has won two races on different surfaces in such quick succession,” said Runnymede General Manager Martin O’Dowd. “His recent change of address has obviously given him a new lease on life and we send our congratulations to his connections.”

Bred in Ireland by Runnymede in partnership with farm Chairman Catesby W. Clay, Ordination won a maiden race at Newbury Racecourse in England before being sent first to California and then to the East Coast, where he was previously trained by Christophe Clement for Clay. McPeek took over Ordination’s training in September when the chestnut was acquired by Joseph Engelhart.

Ordination’s dam, Seek Easy, recently was returned to Runnymede from Europe, where she had been boarded since 2003. A half sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Conserve and a granddaughter of champion Fanfreluche, Seek Easy also has produced Clay’s multiple Group 3-placed winner Dancing David, multiple Japanese winner Marubutsu Boundary, winner Hidden Grove and a promising yearling colt by Oasis Dream that Runnymede sold at the Arqana Deauville sale this summer.